Les Miserables (1958)

I saw the movie for the first time when I was 10. I am not of the French background. I fell in love with the mistique of France. Partly it happened because of the inspiring characters created by Jean Gabin and other gaints of the Hexagon. A discovery for everyone who thinks about G-d, destiny, duty, revolution. To my opinion, that is the only version that wouldn't have made Victor Hugo livid had he seen it. Jean Gabin will always remain the only "authorized", canonic Jean Valjean. All other musicals and shows, no matter how flamboyant and and new agy, are lacking that "since 1815" cognac-like nobility that Jean Gabin embodies so well.

I saw this movie when it came out, and I also saw most of the other "Les Miserables" as they came out..this one is simply the best (Victor Hugo must have turned in his grave at some of the newer versions) One disappointment for me especially, why do you not offer this classic in the original French version? Gabin was one of the best French actors in this century and his gravelly voice is unique and especially missed in this movie.

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I found the reviews for this product to be quite confusing. I finally ignored one reviewer and ordered it and crossed my fingers. It is indeed what I was looking for. This is a 1957 film of 210 minute length with an international cast that includes Jean Gabin, Daniele Delorme, and Bernard Blier. Directed by Jean-Paul LeChanois. What I love about this film is that with 3 1/2 hours there is time to develop the plot so much more fully. Also, so much was filmed in or around original locations from the book. I will not debate that strengths and weaknesses of the cast members as it has been a year or two since I have viewed it. (My VHS copy had become quite poor.)

I have seen Les Miserables on stage in Los Angeles and NYC and also an off-Broadway cast that performed it locally. I also saw an ancient B&W film version in a film appreciation class years ago. I do not recall any miscast actors/tresses in the above 1957 production. Overall it is excellent. Yes, the uncle/ward of Marius has some humor written into his part, but he pulls it off well. Thenardier was rather unsavory and lacked the comic relief of the Broadway version. The relationship between Marius and Eponine is expounded upon and is quite poignant. I don't recall much about either Cosette.

An extra note---My ancient VHS copy of this had an entirely different cover. It was distributed by the Bridgestone Group and the only date on it was 1992 for the Sleeve Design. The cover says this was "filmed entirely in France, near or at the actual places where the events from the story took place." It mentions French star Jean Gabin and director Jean-Paul Le Chanois and that it is complete and uncut in its' original 210 minute length. It mentions none of the other cast members.

Another note---My new DVD copy says it has been digitally remastered. I viewed the first part and I surely cannot figure out what has been remastered. It is a little better copy than my old VHS, that's all. Maybe they remastered the sound. Even without pristine viewing conditions I still prefer this version over the others because it is so well done and nearly faithful to the book.

Note Three---I have viewed 1952 film with Michael Rennie and he makes an excellent Valjean. It is shorter and contains several plot variations but is a solid film and I can recommend it without reservation. It is definitely my number two choice. The 1935 with Frederic March was was also excellent. Oddly it is the film with the most brutality. I would not show it to younger children as the misery and injustice is too intense for them to assimilate well. Otherwise it was well done, but definitely more melodramatic.

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I regard as the best movie I ever seen. The movie shows me characters all kind of people and how to treat them. I'm sorry for my English.

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This film was disappointing, particularly in the awful dubbing. The voices bear no resemblance to the stars' actual voices and I was shocked to find that it was not in French with subtitles. No, it did not say that it was, but I guess I assumed it would be, not being a really well-known foreign film. The Javert doesn't hold a candle to Charles Laughton's evil portrayal; this guy just looks like a dithery older man who somehow got into a bad situation. The Cosette also seems like an airhead. Though the story can hold it's own through almost any treatment, the dubbing was the biggest problem. It did, however, point up the Dickensian situations and characters.

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